August 03, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 30, 1429

HYDERABAD, Aug 2: Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo said on Saturday that the Sindh government and not Wapda or Nepra would decide tariff on electricity to be produced by Thar coal.

The minister, who is on Thar Coal Energy Board, told journalists at the Circuit House that Sindh government would also issue no-objection certificates for mining and exploring coal.

He recalled that the China-based Shenhua group, which had shown interest in Thar coal, became so frustrated by Wapda’s policies over tariff that it gave up the idea altogether. Thar’s coal reserves were larger than oil reserves of entire Middle East region, he claimed.

He said that Thar Coal Energy Board had three marathon sessions on the issue and its members would visit Tharparkar on Sunday to get firsthand knowledge about infrastructure that had been made put in place there.

“We can produce so much of electricity that we will be able to export it. Even India is facing an energy deficit and is looking towards Qatar and Iran,” he said.

He rejected criticism on Thar Coal Authority and said that the notification outlining Thar Coal Energy Board had been issued by the Sindh government. The board comprised him, chief minister, provincial revenue minister, chief secretary, deputy chairman of planning commission and a technical expert Asad Ali Shah, he said.

He said that Pakistan’s major investment groups and those belonging to the United States and Saudi Arabia had attended the conference in the US. “India’s private companies, too, have shown interest,” he said.

Dharejo said that he was not sure about how many Indian companies attended the conference and lashed out at former railways minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed for accusing the government of selling Sindh’s coal to India.

About perennial water shortage in tail-end areas, he issued a warning to irrigation officials to ensure that water was supplied to tail-end areas or get prepared to face action.

He said that he had given the officials five days to remove all illegal pumping machines and outlets and lodge FIRs against the people who were operating illegal outlets.

He hoped that Sindh would achieve its crops production target and denied reports of problems with regard to Ghotki Feeder and Rice Canal. Demand for water had increased four times in paddy growing areas, he added.